russia, israel, india, el salvador among others. ambassador pickering is also a member of the council on foreign relations co-author with senator hagel of global zero report on u.s. nuclear policy. that came in for some tough detroitcriticism and you worked with senator chuck hagel. what kind of defense secretary do you think he would be? >> i think he would an superb defense secretary. he has made clear in these hearingshearings under difficult circumstances that he's mainstream and he supports what the president sports--supports. i think he has carefully calculated and honest views in how and what we should be proceeding in the world. we are part of it. we clearly need a defense second to none in this particular issue. but we also have to be thoughtful about how we move ahead. i think he's conscious as we all are of the fact that expenditures are going to go down in the days ahead and he will be called upon to make difficult judgments for the president. i have every confidence from my knowledge of him that he will give the preside